Development Manager

Company Overview

Founded in 2008, Project SYNCERE is a forward-thinking, values-based educational organization focused on increasing the number of underrepresented youth who pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). We utilize a collaborative, team-based approach to ensure we are working toward accomplishing our overall mission. Our team is committed to providing students with a pathway of opportunities to increase their interest and skills in the STEM fields, while preparing them to enter post-secondary institutions to major in STEM disciplines.

Our goal is to produce the next generation of innovators and engineers who will help America retain its position as a global leader in innovation and technology.

Project SYNCERE is seeking a strategic and self-directed Development Manager to lead and manage the organization’s fundraising execution in close partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Directors. This role supports and advances the Executive Director’s grant and fundraising outreach efforts by overseeing grant development, donor cultivation, and fundraising systems, while ensuring strong coordination with the Chief Operating Officer on financial planning, compliance, and operational alignment.

The Development Manager is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of grants and fundraising activities, strengthening donor relationships, and building efficient, scalable development systems. This role requires a self-directed fundraising professional who is comfortable representing the organization to funders, managing external consultants, and leveraging technology including AI tools; to increase efficiency and impact. This is an ideal opportunity for a mission-driven leader who enjoys both strategy and execution and is excited to help scale a growing nonprofit organization.

• Develop and manage a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy in partnership with the Executive Director and Board
• Identify and prioritize funding opportunities across foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individual donors
• Prepare and present funding plans, pipelines, and progress reports to leadership and the Board
• Lead fundraising goal-setting and track performance toward revenue targets

• Oversee the full lifecycle of grants, including research, proposal development, submission, reporting, and stewardship
• Write select grant proposals and reports while managing external grant writers and consultants as needed
• Maintain a grant calendar to ensure timely submissions and compliance
• Use provided AI-supported tools to increase efficiency in drafting, editing, and managing proposals

• Cultivate, steward, and solicit donors at all levels, including foundations, corporate partners, and individual supporters
• Confidently lead funding conversations and present funding requests directly to prospective and current donors
• Support the Executive Director and Board in donor engagement and relationship-building
• Develop donor communication and stewardship strategies that strengthen long-term relationships

• Manage Salesforce (or similar CRM) to track funding opportunities, donor engagement, and grant pipelines
• Ensure accurate data entry, reporting, and dashboard development to support fundraising decisions
• Use CRM data to inform strategy, forecasting, and donor engagement plans
• Evaluate and implement tools (including AI platforms) that improve development operations

• Hire and manage grant writers, researchers, and other fundraising consultants
• Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and quality control for externally supported proposals and reports
• Ensure alignment of consultant work with organizational strategy and deadlines

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
• 4+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including grant writing and donor cultivation
• Demonstrated success securing foundation, corporate, or government funding
• Experience managing multiple funding deadlines and complex…